
352. 

■ Ml rj s 



15"^ 



A Minister Pro Tem 



X5.))eni§on&CompanV 

Publishers Chicago 



DENISONS ACTING PLAYS 

Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free. 
Price 15c each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



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ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. 

M. F. 

Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 

acts, 2y 2 hrs (25c) 8 8 

After the Game, 2 acts, \% 

hrs. (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 4 4 

American Hustler, 4 acts, 2y 2 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Arabian Nights, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 4 5 
As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 

2Y 2 hrs (25c) 9 7 

At the End of the Rainbow, 3 

acts, 2y A hrs (25c) 6 14 

Bank Cashier, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 8 4 

Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 9 .3 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2J4 

hrs, .(25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Burns Rebellion, 1 hr (25c) 8 5 

Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2 J4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

College Town, 3 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 9 8 

Corner Drug Store, 1 hr. 

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Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs.. 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert, 4 

acts, 2J4 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2 l / 2 

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Dream That Came True, 3 

acts, 2%. hrs (25c) 6 13 

Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr. . . . (25c) 10 
Enchanted Wood, 1^4 h.(35c).Optnl. 
Everyyouth, 3 acts, \y 2 hrs. 

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Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 

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Fascinators, 40 min (25c) 13 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

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Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 

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High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 12 

Honor of a Cowboy, 4 acts, 2% 

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Indian Days, 1 hr (50c) 5 2 

In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 6 4 

Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs. . (25c) 5 4 
Jayville Junction, l 1 ^ hrs. (25c) 14 17 
Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 

acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 12 

Lexington, 4 acts, 2% h..(25c) 9 4 



Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) 10 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2% hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Lodge of Kye Tyes, 1 hr.(25c)13 
Lonelyville Social Club, 3 acts, 

\y 2 hrs (25c) 10 

Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 

hrs ....(25c) 5 2 

Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 9 5 

Mirandy's Minstrels (25c) Optnl. 

New Woman, 3 acts 1 hr. . . . 3 6 
Old Maid's Club, \y 2 hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 8 6 

Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

\y A hrs (25c) 12 9 

On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

2% hrs. , ..(25c) 10 4 

Out in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 hr. 6 4 
Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2y 2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 10 12 

School Ma'am, 4 acts, Ityi hrs. 6 5 
Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs. . 6 6 
Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2 x /z h. 8 3 
Southern Cinderella, 3 acts, 2 

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Third Degree, 40 min (25c) 12 

Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Tony, The Convict, 5 acts, 2 l /z 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h.(25c) 6 4 
Town Marshal, 4 acts, 2% 

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Trip to Storyland, 1 J4 hrs. (25c) 17 23 
Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. (25c) 8 3 
Under Blue Skies, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 10 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
When the Circus Came to 

Town, 3 acts, 2%. hrs. (25c) 5 3 
Women Who Did, 1 hr. . . (25c) 17 
Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 

Bad Job, 30 min 3 2 

Betsy Baker, 45 min 2 2 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min . . 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min. ... 3 5 

Box and Cox, 35 min., 2 1 

Case Against Casey, 40 min. ..23 
Convention of Papas, 25 min . . 7 

Country Justice, 15 min. 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 in. 3 2 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers, 1 54 W. Randolph St., Chicago 



A MINISTER PRO TEM 



A COMEDIETTA 



BY 

KATHARINE KAVANAUGH 

AUTHOR OF 



< < Tin, „ > 



Who ' s a Coward, " " Countess Kate, " " When the Worm Turned, ' ' 
The Queen of Diamonds,'" " Under Blue Skies," Etc. 




CHICAGO 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY 

Publishers 



A MINISTER PRO TEM 

Avr MS 

CHARACTERS. ' n , ' , Wa, 

Joseph Santly The Father 

Rev. William Santly The Nephew 

Jack Gordon The Burglar 

Mike Flannigan The Officer 

Peggy Santly The Daughter 

Biddy Maguire The Cook 



Time — Evening. 



Place — Joseph Santly's Home. 



Time of Playing — Twenty Minutes. 



COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY EBEN H. NORRIS. 

JAN 22 1914 2 

©CI.D 35744 



A MINISTER PRO TEM. 



COSTUMES. 



Joseph Santly — Made up as elderly gentleman of mod- 
erate means. 

Rev. William Santly — A pale, delicate looking minis- 
ter with an effeminate manner. 

Jack Gordon — A dark-haired, good looking young man, 
dressed in plain dark suit. 

Mike Flannigan — An officer's uniform. 

Peggy Santly — A simple house dress for girl of eighteen. 

Biddy Maguire — A house wrapper and apron with a bit 
of green ribbon at her throat. 



PROPERTIES. 

,Suit case, containing Minister's garb. Letter. Package 
of stage money, wrapped. Tray with tea service. Bell to 
ring off stage. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R., means right of the stage; C, center; R. C, right cen- 
ter; L., left; R. D., right door; L. D.^leit door; 1 E., first 
entrance ; U. E., upper entrance ; R. 3 E., right entrance, up 
stage, etc. ; D. F. } door in flat or scene running back of the 
stage; up stage, away from footlights; down stage, near 
footlights ; 1 G., first groove, etc. The actor is supposed to 
be facing the audience. 



A MINISTER PRO TEM 



Scene : The living room in the home of Joseph Santly. 
Room nicely furnished though not elaborately. Doors R. 
U. E. and L. U . E. A window C. draped with portieres. 
Window open. A reading table and lamp, R. C, with a 
few books or magazines. A chair L. side of table. A 
Morris chair L. C. Other furniture to help dress the stage. 

At rise of curtain Joseph Santly is seated at table R. 
C. reading. Peggy is cm-led up in the Morris chair reading 
and eating chocolates from a box on her lap. 

The door bell rings. Peggy looks up but then goes on 
with her reading. Bell rings again. 

Joseph Santly (looking up from paper). Wasn't that 
the bell, Peggy? 

Peggy. Yes, father. (Getting up.) I wonder where 
Biddy is? (Bell rings again.) Oh, I suppose I shall have 
to go. (Exits L. U . E. } almost immediately returns with a 
suit case and a letter.) Father, look. A suit case and a 
letter addressed to you. (Gives letter to Santly.) 

Santly (looks at letter). Well, it looks like some- 
one is coming to visit us. 

Peggy. Goodness, I hope not, with Biddy behaving 
so badly. 

Santly (has opened letter). Oh, what a surprise. The 
note is from my nephew, the Rev. William Santly. He is 
going to spend a day "in our midst," and will give him- 
self the pleasure of a visit. 

Peggy. "In our midst." Is that the way he put it? 

Santly (looking at letter). Those are his words. 

Peggy. I know exactly what he looks like, though I've 
never seen him in my life. 

Santly (putting the letter on table). And I haven't 
seen him since he was a little tacker. My recollection of 
him, though, is a fair-haired, delicate looking child. 

4 



A MINISTER PRO TEM. 5 

Peggy. A sort of a "sissy." 

Santly. Now, don't prejudice your mind against him 
before he arrives. From the tone of his letter he will be 
with us only a day or so. * It seems he is attending some 
meeting or conference here in — 

Peggy. "Our midst." 

Santly (laugh). Exactly. He sent his suit case by a 
messenger from the station and he has stopped at the Rev. 
Jones' parsonage to pay a call. He will then come here. 

Peggy. And Biddy on the rampage. 

Santly. What seems to be the trouble with her now? 

Peg*gy. Same old trouble. She has been imbibing too 
freely. 

Santly. Then we must discharge her. 
. Peggy. You can't, Daddy. She will discharge herself a 
dozen times a day, but let anyone else try to discharge 
her — well, it simply can't be done. Besides, she is so good 
when she is sober. 

Biddy (off stage R., singing). Oh, th' ha-arp tha£ once 
thru' Tarra-rarar's halls — 

Peggy (looks off to R.). Gracious! Here she comes. 
(Return down stage L. Santly remains at table R.) 

Enter Biddy from R. U. E. 

Biddy (stopping her song as she reaches C). Top of 
the avenin' to ye. I've come to give me notice. 

Santly. What — again ? 

Peggy. Nonsense, Biddy. You can't leave us now. We 
are expecting company. 

Biddy. Divil a hair I care. I'll not stay in any house 
that don't have corn beef and cabbage once a week. 

Santly. Biddy, you've been drinking again. 

Biddy. Indade, now. And how could you tell it? 

Santly. By your behaviour. It seems to me you are 
always leaving at the wrong time. I am expecting my 
nephew, Rev. William Santly, to spend a day or two with 
us, and here you are discharging yourself the very hour 
he is coming. 

Biddy. And do ye think I'll stay here and cook for a 



6 A MINISTER PRO TEM. 

minister? Indade, I'll do nothing of the kind. I go, bag 
and baggage, this very night. 

Santly. Very well. Pack you things and get out within 
the hour. 

Biddy. What was that? 

Santly. I say get your things together and leave. You 
are discharged. Do you understand? Discharged. 

Biddy. Discharged, am I? Well, we'll see about that. 
Nobody can discharge me but myself. Back I go to that 
kitchen, and I'd like to see anybody come out there and 
discharge me. {To Peggy.) Do ye hear that, Miss, after 
all these years in his service. 

Peggy. You have brought it on yourself, Biddy. I'll 
have to agree with father. 

Biddy. Think of that, now, after all these years of faith- 
ful service. {Begins to cry.) Oh, Miss, I couldn't go into 
a strange house now; it would break my heart Sure, no 
one understands me but you and the master there. I won't 
be discharged. Do ye hear that. I'm going back into me 
kitchen this very minute. {Starts to go off R.) 

Peggy. Biddy, make some tea, will you? My cousin 
will be here shortly and I want to offer him some tea and 
cake. 

Biddy. Indade I will, Miss. God bless your tender heart. 
I'll make him a cup of tay that'll make him forget home 
and mother. {Exit Biddy. Santly and Peggy laugh.) 

Peggy. Sure, the only way to keep Biddy is to dis- 
charge her. 

Santly. Well, my dear, I think I'll get my hat and go 
as far as the Rev. Jones's to meet my nephew. {Takes hat 
from hat rack.) I'll bring him back with me; and be sure 
that you act the part of an affectionate cousin and make 
him feel at home. He is rather young, I fancy, and per- 
haps a trifle bashful in the presence of ladies. 

Peggy {laughing). Oh, my dear Dad, I never saw a 
minister who was. But bring him along and I'll be as 
affectionate as he will let me. Good-bye, Daddy. Don't let 
the Rev. Jones keep you. 



A MINISTER PRO TEM. 7 

Santly (going off L. U. E.). Good-bye, daughter. 
(Exits.) 

Peggy (looks at suit case). I suppose I ought to send 
that to his room, but I won't disturb Biddy until she has 
made the tea. (Looks at end of suit case, reads.) W. S. 
William Santly. I suppose they call him "Willie." Now 
for the tea. (Exits R. U. E.) 

The portieres *at window are pushed aside and Jack 
Gordon stealthily enters through the window. Quickly 
closes the portieres and remains in center of room, breath- 
ing hard as if after a hard chase. He wears dark clothes. 

Gordon. Gee. I wonder what I've got into: Looks like 
somebody's living room. (Cautiously peeps through por- 
tieres at window.) I wonder if I've thrown that blamed 
cop off my track He certainly could do some sprinting. 
Well, when they catch Jack Gordon they've got to go 
some. (Listens at door R. U. E.) Hello, there's someone 
in there. What am I going to do now? (Sees the suit 
case.) What's this? (Opening the suit case.) Might be 
something here I could use. Holy mustard! A minister's 
outfit. Well, what do you know about that? If this ain't 
luck, I'm a sinner. (He quickly takes off his coat and 
slips the minister's coat, stock and collar on, putting his 
own coat and collar and tie into suit case.) Well, I've 
played many a part in my career, but a minister — gee, 
who would have thought I'd ever come to this. I wonder 
what my name is. (Looks at suit case.) W. S. That's 
not much help. Might be Walter, and _ then again it 
might'n't. (Wanders over to table and picks up letter.) 
Hello, here's a clue. (Reads.) My dearly beloved uncle. 
I shall be staying a short time in your midst — " Caesar's 
mother-in-law, wouldn't that give you the pollywobbles. 
(Reads.) "and shall give myself the pleasure of a visit. 
Your affectionate nephew, William Santly." Hurrah ! I'm 
William Santly. Good boy, Bill. (Replaces the letter and 
crosses to L. with a satisfied laugh.) 

Enter Peggy, R. U. E., with tray holding pot of tea and 
two cups. Pauses in surprise as she enters. 



8 A MINISTER PRO TEM. 

Peggy. Oh, dear, he is here. 

Gordon (turns and sees Peggy). Oh — er — good even- 
ing. 

Peggy (places tray on table). You're Cousin Will, aren't 
you? 

Gordon. That's just who I am. And you? 

Peggy. Why, I'm Peggy. 

Gordon. Why, of course. You've changed so since the 
last time I saw you. 

Peggy. But you never saw me before in your life. 

Gordon. Haven't I? That's all you know about it. Do 
you think a. fellow is going to have a cousin like you and 
not know anything about it. My dear Peggy, you don't 
know me. 

Peggy. Why, you're not a bit like I thought you'd be. 

Gordon. What did you expect me to look like? 

Pe:ggy. Well, of course I've never seen even your pic- 
ture, but somehow I got the idea that you were a sort 
of— well, you know. 

Gordon. A Willie boy, eh? 

Peggy (smiling). Something like that. But you're not. 
How did you ever come to be a minister? 

Gordon. It was forced on me. I was a sort of victim 
of circumstances, as it were. 

Peggy. Won't you have a cup of tea? 

Gordon. If you will pour it for me. 

Peggy. Of course. Come, sit down, Cousin Will. 

Gordon. You bet I will, Cousin Peggy. (Sits at L. 
of table.) 

Peggy (pouring tea, back of table). I had no idea I 
was going to like you so well. 

Gordon. Do you? Say, I think you're the sweetest 
cousin a fellow ever had. 

Enter Biddy, R. U. E. 

Biddy. Oh, Miss Peggy, sure there's a cop at the kitchen 
door, Mike Flannigan— he's a friend of mine — and he's 
trying to tell me that there's a burglar in the house. 

Peggy (alarmed). A burglar!, Oh, Biddy! 



A MINISTER PRO TEM. 9 

Biddy. A bank thief, he called him. Gentleman Jack 
Gordon. The cops have been after him a long time. Now, 
he's robbed the First National Bank and escaped right be- 
fore their very eyes. Mike says he could almost swear he 
came here. 

Peggy. Oh, but that's impossible. My cousin, Mr. 
Santly, and I are the only ones here. Tell the officer to 
come in. 

Biddy, I will. {Exits R. U. E.) 

Peggy. / What do you think of that, Cousin Will? 

Gordon. Probably the mistake of some stupid officer, 
I wouldn't let it annoy you. 

Peggy. But a bank thief. How terrible. 

Gordon. Isn't it? Why these fellows will steal has al- 
ways been a mystery to me. 

Enter Mike Flannigan, R. U. E. 

Peggy. Officer, don't you think you've made a dreadful 
mistake ? 

Flannigan. I don't know, Miss. He got away from us 
along here somewhere, and we've been in the other houses. 

Peggy (indicating Gordon). This is my cousin, the 
Rev. William Santly. We have been here and should 
have seen anyone who entered. 

Gordon. What does this chap look like, officer? 

Flannigan. Sure, the rascal ran so fast no one got a 
good look at him, but he's supposed to be a well built 
young fellow, dark hair and eyes. 

Gordon (laughs). Well, that description might fit a 
million. Me, for instance. 

Flannigan. Yes, sir; but it's the only description we 
have, sir. I'm sorry to have troubled you, Miss, but if 
you don't object I'll ask Biddy to' show me through the 
house.. 

Peggy. By all means. Satisfy yourself thoroughly. 

Flannigan (going off R. U. E.). Thank you, Miss. 

Gordon. I wish you luck, officer. 

Flannigan. Thank you kindly, sir. (Exits R. U. E.) 

Peggy. Goodness. I wish father was at home. 



10 A MINISTER PRO TEM. 

Gordon. By the way, where is he? 

Peggy. I declare, I forgot all about father. He went 
to the Rev. Jones's to meet you and bring you back with 
him. How did you come to miss him? 

Gordon. Well, you see, I didn't stop at the Rev. Jones's. 

Peggy. Didn't you? 

Gordon. No; I was in too much of a hurry. 

Peggy. Then father must be still waiting. If he has 
heard about the bank thief he will hurry home, I'm sure. 

Gordon. He will be afraid for you? 

Peggy. Yes; but then he doesn't know that you are 
here. If he did, he would not worry. 

Gordon. You think this bank thief must be a very bad 
sort of a fellow, don't you, Peggy? 

Peggy. Oh, a thief. Could anything be worse? 

Gordon. But suppose he never steals from the poor or 
needy? Suppose he selects for his victims the rich crooks 
who, themselves, are no more than thieves. Suppose this 
Gordon fellow could tell you that he never steals except 
from those who are as great a thief as he is. 

Peggy (in surprise). Are you making excuses for him? 

Gordon. Why, no. I was only supposing a case. 

Peggy. To my mind a thief is a thief, no matter whom 
he robs. 

Gordon. I guess you'd have no mercy on the thief, would 
you? 

Peggy. I'm afraid not. 

Gordon (seriously). Yes — I suppose that's just as it 
should be. A thief is a thief. Well, what do you say to 
my going to Rev. Jones's to meet your father? You are 
not afraid to stay alone? 

Peggy. Oh, dear, no. It's father who is always afraid 
for me. Perhaps you had better go. He may be still wait- 
ing for you. 

Gordon (takes his hat). Good. I'll go after him. Oh, 
by the way, if that officer comes back, give him this for 
me, will you ? (Takes a small flat package from his pocket.) 

Peggy (takes it). Why, what is it? 

Gordon. He'll probably show it to you when he opens 



A MINISTER PRO TEM. 11 

it. So long. (Pause.) I wish you'd shake hands with me 
before I go, will you? 

Peggy (laughing). Why, of course, Cousin Will. Father 
told me to be affectionate. There. (Quickly kisses him 
and runs off R. U. E.) 

Gordon (stands surprised for a second). Well, what 
do you know about that. (Serious pause.) God, I wish I 
wasn't a thief. (Turns and exits L. U. E. slowly.) 

Peggy peeps cautiously R. U. E. } then enters. 

Peggy. Goodness, I wonder what he thinks of me. But 
I do like him ever so much. 

Enter Biddy and Flannigan, R. U. E. 

Biddy. Sure, Miss, there's not a sign of a thief in the 
house at all — at all. 

Peggy. Have you satisfied yourself, officer? 

Flannigan. Yes, Miss. I don't know where the divil 
he could have gone. I was right on his heels when he 
turned the corner beyant. 

Peggy. Oh, by the way; here's a package my cousin, 
the Rev. William Santly, left for you. 

Flannigan (in surprise). For me, Ma'am? (Takes 
it.) 

Peggy. Yes. See what is in it. 

Flannigan (tears paper wrapper off, discloses a flat 
package of bank notes). May the Lord deliver us, it's the 
bank's money. 

Peggy. What ! 

Biddy. Holy St. Patrick. 

Peggy. What can it mean? 

Flannigan. Sure, Miss, if I kin believe me sinses, it 
means that your cousin, the Rev. William Santly was 
Gordon, the bank thief. 

Peggy. Oh, no, it can't be. It can't be, I tell you. I 
won't believe it of him. (Buries her face in her hands 
and sinks into chair, sobbing.) 

Enter Santly with the Rev. William Santly, L. U. E. 



12 A MINISTER PRO TEM. 

Mr. Santly. Here we are, William. Peggy, my dear, 
this is your cousin William. 

Peggy {half rises, takes one look at William). Oh, 
Heavens, I knew he'd look like that. Take him away. 
Take him away. (Falls back into chair, sobbing.) 

William (standing center of stage). Upon my word, 
how distressing. 

Curtain. 



A Rehearsal at Ten 

By HARRY L. NEWTON. 

Price, 25 Cents 

A back of the footlights comedy; 18 males, 13 females. Time, 
iy 2 hours. The curtain rises on an unset stage, where the man- 
ager of a show has called a rehearsal at the usual hour, 10 o'clock 
in the morning. The play proves a failure, the manager decides 
to put on a vaudeville performance instead and makes everyone 
take part, from the leading man and lady to the stage carpenter, 
scrub woman and property boy. The dissatisfied actors and ac- 
tresses, the ambitious stage hands, the busy author and the dis- 
gusted manager are rich comedy parts. Opportunity to introduce 
specialties. Easy to stage and easy to produce, as whoever plays 
the part of the manager can have a copy of the play with him 
during the entire performance. 



A Prairie Rose 

By EDITH F. A. U. PAINTON. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Comedy drama of the Kansas prairies in 4 acts; 7 males, 4 fe- 
males. Time, 2y 2 hours. Scenes: 1 exterior, 3 interiors. Charac- 
ters: Silas Wilder, an old ranchman. Robert Raymond, a young 
physician. Philip Bryant, a young lawyer. Archie Featherhead, a 
dude. Bill Briggs, a Kansas cowboy. Mose, a darky servant. 
Ralph Wilder. Rose Wilder, a prairie rose. Lizy Jane, housekeeper. 
Dorothy, Phil's sweetheart. Agnes, Robert's divorced wife. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Archie has an adventure and tells of his love for Rose. 
Robert makes a confession. Mose gets a bad scare, and Rose gets 
better acquainted with her old "pal," Bill. The doctor defines love. 
"Come on and take it, then!" 

Act II. — Rose in love. "Cheer up, Rosie! I ain't a kickin'!" 
Rose is afraid. "I jest think you've got the purtiest eyes!" Uncle 
Silas is willing "It be all right, Doc!" Mose to the rescue. Rose 
learns the truth. Bill to the defense. "No ye won't, Bill!" 

Act III. — Scene I: Bill on track of the "right steer" at last. 
"Rose loved me fust, an' she'll have me now!" "Curse ye! I'm 
square with ye now!" Just an accident!" "For — Rose's — sake!" 
Scene II: Phil and Dorothy come to an understanding. Rose is 
still "powerful sot in her idees!" A reconciliation and a. parting. 
"My poor little girl!" 

Act IV. — Afternoon tea. Bill finds hothouse flowers too fra- 
grant for his nose. A little domestic tiff that blows over satis- 
factorily Silas is very much married. An old friend unexpectedly 
turns up. "Merciful heavens! It is Rose!" "Back to the prairie!" 
"Yours, Rose, yours." "That is love." 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



Aaron Boggs, Freshman 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

College comedy in 3 acts; 8 males, 8 females. Time. 2% hours. 
Scenes: 1 exterior, 1 interior. Characters: Aaron from Splinter- 
ville. Happy Jimmie Jamieson, a susceptible junior. Beau Car- 
ter, a prominent senior. Pepper Jervis, studying repose. Epenetus 
P. Boggs, a pillar of Splinterville. Mr. Chubb, born tired. Casey 
Jones, a college politician. Second-hand Abey, who does his friends 
good. Lizzie Feeny, a waitress but a perfect lady. Mrs. Chubb, a 
boarding-house 'keeper. Mrs. Pickens, likewise. Evelyn, Lois, 
Cherry and Loretta, college girls. Dollie, a vaudeville queen. 

SYNOPSIS. 
Act I. — In college years, when life's at spring, 
The old love seems a little thing, 
• And heads are turned by the college whirl, 
And the Freshman seeks a college girl. 
The new football star, captured in the railroad shops. "He's 
going to take plain sewing and cross-stitch." Paw brings Aaron 
to college. 'Aaron made the finest graduating address ever heard 
on the Splinterville platform." Aaron is hazed and Lizzie Maud 
meets an old beau. 

Act II. — Off with the old love, on with the new, 
But often the newer love won't do. 
The sweetest rose is the old rose pressed 
And I sometimes think that the old love's best. 
Aaron president of the Freshman class. "Slaving for eleven 
students and everyone a hyena in a Norfolk jacket." "I have oat- 
meal to burn and sometimes I do." The telegram. "Grandson of 
Stephen J. Boggs, the multi-millionaire." Why did I ever send 
that telegram? It's all over." 

Act III. — For a college life is a thing apart, 

And a college love is a whim o' the heart. 
And the heart beats true, though the world seems slow, 
When you love the girl, you used to know. 
"I thought you wanted me for myself, not for my grandfather." 
"I resign right now." Chubb brings home a load but forgets the 
wood. "Me working like a slave and him down town making a 
human faucet out of hisself." "She said she'd take me on one 
condition — that was easy, I entered with six." It's taken quite 
awhile to learn where I belong here at college, but I've found my- 
self — and I've found you." 

The Fascinators 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Comic entertainment in one act; 13 females. Time, 40 minutes. 
A thorough school, open to girls between sixteen and fifty, which 
gives scientific training in the fascinating game of catching a hus- 
band. Introduces specialties and a number of songs, "Stately 
Lilies," "Cooking Song," etc., which are sung to familiar college 
airs. It ends with a very clever and amusing "Flirtation" song 
and drill. Particularly suitable for women's clubs and societies. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



The Dream that Came True 

By LINDSEY BARBEE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Comedy drama in 3 acts; 6 males, 13 females. Time, 2% hours. 
Scenes: 3 interiors. Characters: Gordon Clay, foreman of the 
works. Charles Norton, the wealthy owner. Jack Brown, a cub 
reporter. Bobbie Byrnes, averse to college women. Billy Best, cap- 
tain of the 'varsity team. Lord Algernon, straight from England. 
Nan Worthington, one of the people. Margaret, loyal and true. 
Mrs. Jenkins, a boarding housekeeper. Angelina, her small daugh- 
ter. Louisa, one of the boarders. Florabel, a poetess. Mehitabel 
Biddle, a suffragette. Emmy Lou, fond of fairy tales. Mrs. Al- 
laire, the chaperone. Delphine, a college graduate. Peggy, a 
Browning fiend. Doris, an athletic girl. Nora, a maid. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — The impending strike. "It ain't so much the man that 
makes woman foolish, it's the lack of him." "Being a lady Miss 
Margaret is being just like you. "If ever the time comes when 
you need me, I shall stand the test." 

Act II. — "The strike's on." Gordon tells of his love for an- 
other. Norton refuses to make terms. Gordon plays his last trump. 
Margaret bids Nan prove that love is sacrifice. "I am to struggle 
on — alone." 

Act III. — "It's good-bye Gordon." "You're a dear, sweet little 
English Lord but I want to be under the stars and stripes." Nan 
has her revenge. "The factory girl can be generous." The dream 
comes true. 

Under Blue Skies 

By KATHARINE KAVANAUGH. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Comedy drama in 4 acts; 7 males, 10 females. Time, 2 hours. 
Scenes: 2 exteriors, 2 interiors. Characters: Bruce McCulloch, 
the man. Dick Warren, Edith's brother. David Joyce, Clare's 
father. Oscar Weber, a village swain. Old John, the gardner. 
Williams, a valet. Sleepy Heine. Clare, the girl. Edith, an heir- 
ess. Sara, the old housekeeper. Mrs. Weber, a troublemaker. 
Little Elsie and five neighboring women who have only a few lines. 

' SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Mrs. Weber insists on the marriage between Oscar 
and Clare. "This has got to be settled one way or the other." 
Clare meets Miss Warren. Oscar finds the letter. "Clare Joyce 
is my affianced wife." "If you come near me I'll kill you!" 

Act II. — Scene I: Old John and the flowers. Miss Warren finds 
Clare and Bruce together. Jealousy. The blow. "I'll make you 
sorry for this!" Scene II: Going to chapel. The love letter. Miss 
Warren and Oscar come to an agreement. "You'll never be able to' 
hold up your head again." Humiliation. 

Act III. — Bruce unhappy. "I was playing with fire and I got 
my fingers burnt." An unexpected visitor. "Our engagement is 
at an end." Bruce proposes. The midnight marriage. 

Act IV. — The next morning. Breakfast. "Clare is not here." 
Mrs. Weber's story. "Your prayers and tears come too late." 
Bruce interrupts. "Clare Joyce is my wife." Happiness. 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



The Old Oaken Bucket 

By MARY MONCURE PARKER. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Rural drama in 4 acts; 8 males, 6 females. Time, 2 hours. 
Scenes: 1 exterior, 1 interior. Characters: Reuben Hardacre, an 
honest old farmer. Tom, his son, a chip of the old block. Arthur 
Ames, true blue. Mark Hayward, a wolf in sheep's clothing. Jake, 
a rustic lover. Ezra Bobb, the postmaster. G. Whillikens, a 
neighbor. Rev. Mason, the peacemaker. Martha, Reuben's wife. 
Lizzie, the light of Uncle Reuben's eyes. Emily, the sunshine of 
the household. Sapphira, the village gossip. Mrs. G. Whillikens, 
proper, if not charitable. Miry, a country belle. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — "Reuben, you air so sot." "Jedge not." The village 
O ossip makes things lively. The young artist recognizes a villain 
and also makes a conquest at the old well. Mark's education and 
good looks captivate Lizzie. "Meet me at the old log cabin at 
midnight." "Oh, Uncle, forgive me." 

Act II. — The early risers. "You read the letter, Tom, I can't." 
Sapphira bobs in. "I shudder to think I might have been drawed 
away." Reuben has a word to say to Sapphira. "Ain't nobody 
goin' to say a word agin' me or mine without gettin' acquainted 
with the way to the front door." True hearts and gingham skirts. 
Tom goes to find Lizzie. "He'll answer fer it with his life." 

Act III. — Jake reads the village paper. "Gals is queer critters." 
The Artist's return. The picture, "The Old Oaken Bucket," that 
brought fame and money. A stormy night — and a knock at the 
door. "It's Lizzie." The wanderer's return. "You ain't been away 
from our hearts a minute." "God bless you for your sweet for- 
giveness." 

Act IV. — Ted's wedding day. A surprise party. Snow, sleigh- 
bells and merriment. The country dance. Lizzie's entrance — con- 
sternation. "How's Mr. Hayward?" The wrath of the sturdy old 
farmer. Rev. Mason intervenes. Tom asks Lizzie to be his wife. 
Sapphira wonders — "The idea of him takin' her when he could 
get me." 



The Rocky Ridge Vaudeville Show 

By WILLIS N. BUGBEE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Novelty entertainment. Eight complete vaudeville acts. Char- 
acters optional, about 25 males, 8 females. Many of the parts may 
be doubled so that it can be easily produced with 20 adults and 3 
children. Time, a full evening. The leading citizen and corner 
grocery store wit of a small rural town visits a large city and at- 
tends a vaudeville show. He is enthusiastic over it and on his 
return, with local talent, puts on a similar performance at the 
town hall, which proves a stupendous success. 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



M. F. 

Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 

Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min.... 4 2 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min.... 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 
Fun in a Photograph Gallery, 

30 min 6 10 

Great Doughnut Corporation, 

30 min 3 5 

Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 
Great Pumpkin Case, 30 min.. 12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min.... 4 3 

Happy Pair, 25 min 1 1 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 
Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Is the Editor In? 20 min... 4 2 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mike Donovan's Courtship, 15 m. 1 3 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Carver's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 
Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 

min 3 2 

My Lord in Livery, 1 hr.... 4 3 

My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min.. 3 3 

My Turn Next, 45 min 4 3 

My Wife's Relations, 1 hr . 4 6 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 

Only Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 

Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. 6 3 

Regular Fix, 35 min 6 4 

Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 

Second Childhood, 15 min.,.. 2 2 

Smith, the Aviator, 40 min... 2 3 

Taking Father's Place, 30 min. 5 3 

Taming a Tiger, 30 min 3 

That Rascal Pat, 30 min..... 32 

Those Red Envelopes, 25 min. 4 4 
Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Treasure from Egypt, 45 min. 4 1 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 

Two Bonnycastles, 45 min.... 3 3 
Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min.. 8 

Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 2 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 

Wanted a Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Which Will He Marry? 20 min. 2 8 

Who Is Who? 40 min 3 2 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 

Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 

Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 



VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- 
OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

M. F. 

Ax'in' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 

Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.10 

Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 

Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min. 1 1 

Coming Champion, 20 min.... 2 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m.14 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Doings of a Dude, 20 min.... 2 1 

Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 

Five Minutes from Yell Col- 
lege, 1 5 min 2 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min.. 2 1 

Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min. 1 I 

Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min. 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min......... 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hot Air, 25 min 2 1 

Jumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 

Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 

Mischievous Nigger, 25 min.. 4 2 

Mistaken Miss, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. Badger's Uppers, 40 min. 4 2 
One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 

Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min . . 4 

Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10 

min 1 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2 2 

Prof. Black's Funnygraph, 15 m. 6 

Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 

Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 

Si and I, 15 min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Stage Struck Darky, 10 min.. 2 1 

Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 

Time Table, 20 min 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 

Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 

Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 

Two Jay Detectives, 1 5 min . . 3 

Umbrella Mender, 1 5 min .... 2 
Uncle Bill at the Vaudeville, 

15 min 1 

Uncle Jeff, 25 min 5 2 

Who Gits de Reward? 30 min. 5 1 



A great number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed in 

Denison's Catalogue 



T.S.DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers,154W. Randolph St., Chicago 



POPULAR ENTERTAIN* 

Price, Illustrated Paper Covers, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



I 1 MCT JOCIKTr I / 

LITTLE PEOPLES 
PLAYf 




:S.DENIS0*T 
& COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS CHICAGO 



TN this Series 
are found 
books touching 
every feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
good paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
er design. 

DIALOGUES 

All Sorts of Dialogues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

Very celver; for young people. 
Children's Comic Dialogues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Dialogues for District Schools. 

For country schools. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

Over 50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Humorous Homespun Dialogues. 

For older ones. 
Little People's Plays. 

From 7 to 13 years of age. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
Merry Little Dialogues. 

Thirty-eight original selections. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Brand new, original, successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaker. 
The Comic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 
Dialect Readings. 

Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. 
The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. . 
The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 

For pupils of all ages. 
Humorous Monologues. 

Particularly for ladies. 
Monologues for Young Folks. 

Clever, humorous, original. 
Monologues Grave and Gay. 

Dramatic and humorous. 
The Patriotic Speaker. 

Master thoughts of master minds. 




015 939 505 4 



The Po 

For 
Pomes _ 

Wit, humor, satire, funny poems. 
Scrap- Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose, 
poetry. 14 Nos., per No. 25c. 

DRILLS 

The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays* With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 years. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys' Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Plans, invitations, decorations, 
games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

Entertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
Good Things for Thanksgiving. 

A gem of a book. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare*. 
Tableaux and Scenic Readings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fingers and Sway- 
ing Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black American Joker. 

Minstrejs' and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches, etc. 
Laughland, via the Ha-Ha 

Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Negro Minstrels. 

All about the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. 

Funny stories, jokes, gags, etc. 

Large Illustrated Catalogue Free 



T.S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers, 154 W. Randolph St. , Chicago 



LIBRARY OF CONG, }gjj? | | 1|| 

015 939 505 4 9) 



